Book Review: Get off the X

Book Summary: Get Off the X

Author: Michele Rigby Assad
Format: Audible/  July 2026

Main Idea

Every person eventually finds themselves standing on an 'X'—the place where fear, uncertainty, disappointment, comfort, and indecision meet. The tragedy is not landing on the X, but choosing to stay there. Progress begins the moment we move, even before we know exactly where the path will lead.

The Three Lies That Keep Us on the X

·       I need more certainty. (Clarity comes after action, not before it.)

·       Failure is the enemy. (Inaction is far more destructive than failure.)

·       Comfort is safe. (Comfort often disguises fear and prevents growth.)

Fear Never Leaves

·       Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to move despite it.

·       Fear provides information but should rarely dictate our decisions.

Action Creates Clarity

·       Most people think: Clarity → Confidence → Action.

·       Reality is: Action → Experience → Learning → Clarity → Confidence.

Your Greatest Enemy Is Internal

·       The biggest obstacles that we face are the stories we tell ourselves: I'm too old, I'm not qualified, What if I fail? Once we realize that it’s the beliefs that are keeping us from moving and not the actual obstacle, we are ready for massive action.

Pain Can Become Purpose

·       The better question is not 'Why did this happen?' but 'What kind of person will this help me become?'

Mission Makes Fear Smaller

·       When your mission becomes bigger than your comfort, fear begins to lose its power.

Practical Questions

·       Where am I standing still?

·       What decision am I avoiding?

·       What comfort am I protecting?

·       What would courage look like today?

·       What's one step I can take today?

Similar to Other Books

• The Obstacle Is the Way (Ryan Holiday): The obstacle becomes the path.
• Extreme Ownership (Jocko Willink): Control your next move.

Biblical Reflection

Throughout Scripture, God rarely reveals the entire roadmap before asking His people to move. Moses, Gideon, Peter, and the disciples all had to obey before they fully understood. Faith is trusting God with the next step, not waiting for complete certainty.

Observation – Great audiobook, very easy to listen to. The CIA stories are great, with nuggets of great information tucked into it. She and her husband are believers, and you can see how that affects the way they see and act in the world. Seem to be people who truly see their God-given calling to build what is beautiful and to destroy that which is evil

Key Takeaway

You don't overcome fear by waiting for courage—you overcome fear by moving toward your God-given mission one faithful step at a time. The longer you stay on the X, the stronger fear becomes